Gwynn memorial rejected: too small

Hayne Palmour IV

Longtime Tony Gwynn fan Mark Crews and his daughter Jennifer Crews look up a banner commemorating former Aztecs baseball coach and player Tony Gwynn just before a ceremony retiring Tony Gwynn's jersey number No. 19 prior to the Aztecs opening baseball game against Valparaiso at Tony Gwynn Stadium in San Diego in February.

Longtime Tony Gwynn fan Mark Crews and his daughter Jennifer Crews look up a banner commemorating former Aztecs baseball coach and player Tony Gwynn just before a ceremony retiring Tony Gwynn's jersey number No. 19 prior to the Aztecs opening baseball game against Valparaiso at Tony Gwynn Stadium in San Diego in February. (Hayne Palmour IV)

A proposal to erect a small memorial near the Lake Poway baseball field to honor Poway resident and Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn was rejected Tuesday night by a disappointed City Council.

Shortly after Gwynn’s death last June the council said it wanted to honor the former Padre star by naming the baseball field at Lake Poway Park after Gwynn and by erecting some sort of monument near the field.

But the plan that city staff returned with Tuesday – essentially attaching an engraved granite plaque to a small boulder which would be placed near the baseball field – wasn’t what Poway Mayor Steve Vaus and others on the council had in mind. Not even close.

“I’ve always envisioned something more grand,” Vaus said. “I see a boulder with a plaque on it and I worry kids will sit on it or lay their baseball gloves on it, or Lord knows dogs might find it attractive.”

Vaus and the other members of the council all agreed something larger and more meaningful is needed.

“I’ve envisioned something that somebody could stand next to and have their picture taken ... something that will give people a moment to look up, reflect, read about the man, read about the player and say ‘Wow, yeah, this is the town where Tony lived.”

Gwynn, San Diego’s best-known player for the San Diego Padres and one of the greatest hitters in the history of Major League Baseball, lived in Poway for nearly 30 years and donated his time and money to numerous local causes.

His home was located in the hills near the lake.

He died on June 16 at the age of 54 after a four-year battle with cancer.

The cost of the memorial proposed by the city’s community services staff was placed at $3,500.

The proposed wording on the plaque:

Anthony “Tony” Gwynn

May 16, 1960 – June 16, 2014

“Tony was a loving, devoted, family man who dedicated his time and talent for his community. Beyond his Hall of Fame baseball career, he was known for his loyalty, integrity, character, and infectious laugh. Tony called the City of Poway home for 29 years, and was a mentor, friend, and inspiration to all! He left his mark on the world, his footprint on this community, and his heart on this field.”

Though approving of the inscription, the council indicated it wanted more. Several members suggested that once a design is picked out perhaps a more suitable and prominent place could be found for the memorial than at Lake Poway.

It was left up in the air how the process will proceed. Several people in the community, including an artist, have volunteered to work with the city to come up with a better tribute.